Hezbollah terrorist attack on Israeli’s northern border: eight IDF soldiers killed and two abducted
(Updated to July 13, afternoon) (**)
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Stage 1: IDF patrol attacked under cover of diversionary fire
During the morning hours of July 12, 2006, Hezbollah in Lebanon initiated a terrorist attack against IDF forces and Israeli civilians living in communities along the Israeli-Lebanese border. It was the worst attack since the IDF left Lebanon in May 2000. Its goal was to abduct IDF soldiers under massive diversionary rocket fire directed against populated areas and IDF forces along the border, Hezbollah’s usual mode of operation. 1
The attack began at about 9 a.m. when two IDF Hammer jeeps were ambushed while they were conducting a routine patrol along the northern border between Zar’it and Shetula. The ambush was carried out by Hezbollah terrorists who situated themselves 200 meters (about 220 yards) south of the border within Israeli territory. They detonated explosive charges and fired anti-tank missiles from where they were hiding, setting the two vehicles on fire. Three Israeli soldiers were killed, two were wounded (one seriously and one moderately) and two others, whose conditions are unknown, were abducted by Hezbollah.
The attack on the IDF patrol was carried out at the same time as massive rocket attacks on Israeli civilian population centers along the border. Hezbollah fire was directed at Shetula (where three civilians were wounded), Shomra, Zar’it (in the western Galilee) and other communities, and at IDF posts in the area.
Stage 2: IDF soldiers pursuing the Hezbollah terrorists attacked
After it became known that two soldiers had been abducted, an IDF force entered Lebanon to pursue the abductors. Approximately 70 meters (75 yards) north of the border the tank drove over a large side charge (estimated at 300 kilograms, about 660 lbs). The tank was severely damaged and its four crew members died instantly.
Infantry and armored forces entered Lebanon in an attempt to extricate the tank and found themselves under heavy Hezbollah fire. During the attempt an IDF soldier was killed by sniper fire and three more were wounded.